TEMPE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Avnet Technology Solutions, the global IT solutions distribution leader and an operating group of Avnet, Inc. (NYSE: AVT), today unveiled Avnet Services, a new global business model designed to create greater alignment and increase operational efficiencies for Avnet's services offerings around the world. Avnet Services will combine existing services organizations within Avnet into one dedicated, global team with a unified strategy focused on software, lifecycle and education services that complement existing solutions sales and suppliers' services offerings.

The Avnet Services team will continue to work with channel partners, including value-added resellers (VARs), independent software vendors (ISVs), system integrators (SIs), and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), to sell and deliver these services. Avnet's channel partners and suppliers will benefit from expanded capabilities, extended reach and scale, faster time to market, variable cost models, and increased revenue and margins from services offerings.

"The IT services market is estimated to be $674.9 billion USD, with a four-year CAGR of four percent;1 however, this large, growing market is underserved by the channel," said Phil Gallagher, president, Avnet Technology Solutions, Global. "Avnet Services is designed to help partners successfully capitalize on this immense opportunity worldwide by leveraging our ecosystem and IT services portfolio in partnership with world-class technology providers. Our goal is to build a unified, globally-aligned services business with common processes and tools that will allow us to deliver multiple lines of services from multiple business units for channel partners efficiently and effectively."

Avnet Services will create a consistent customer experience by combining several existing businesses within Avnet, including many services-focused companies that have been acquired over the past several years. It brings together the aftermarket and technology lifecycle services organizations within Avnet Integrated, and the services and software operations of recent acquisitions, such as Ascendant Technology, BrightStar Partners, Canvas Systems, Genilogix, Mattelli, Pepperweed Consulting, and TSSLink. Avnet Services will now support its partners through an integrated team of more than 2,000 service delivery specialists.

"We continue to see opportunities for significant growth in managed and cloud-based services as businesses plan for successful transitions to next-generation infrastructures and applications," said Vince DeLuca, CEO, Logicalis U.S., an international IT solutions and managed services provider, and an Avnet partner. "IT services are increasingly being consumed in new and different ways so helping our customers to quickly and easily overcome business hurdles in these areas is critical, and partnering with Avnet Services provides the additional services capabilities we need to meet and exceed our customers' expectations."

Avnet Services will target high-growth opportunities and operate in parallel with Avnet Technology Solutions' core product business model. Initially, services offerings will be developed and delivered in three main areas:

"To win new business in today's high-growth technology and vertical markets, the channel needs to add a full suite of hardware, software and services offerings to their portfolio," said Ken Archer, Americas vice president for Channels and Alliances, Technology Services at HP. "Avnet Services will enable HP's channel partners to offer comprehensive, integrated solutions that will allow them to deliver greater value to their customers and capitalize on new business opportunities related to analytics, big data, cloud computing, and converged infrastructure."

The global team will be led by Bill Wentworth, senior vice president of Avnet Services. A 27-year veteran of the technology industry, Wentworth most recently served as senior vice president of Avnet Integrated, where he was responsible for managing and promoting the services capabilities of its acquired businesses, which include Broadband, Nexicore, Pinnacle Data Systems, and ROUND2. The regional services teams will report to Wentworth. Avnet Services, Americas, will be led by Tony Vottima, and the EMEA team will be led by Christian Magirus. The executive team in Asia is currently interviewing candidates for its regional Avnet Services leadership position.

"Avnet Services will establish consistent processes, tools, management systems, and governance around our services offerings, which will enable the team to efficiently increase our scale and scope around the world," said Wentworth. "This alignment will enhance project success and return on investment for customer deployments throughout the IT solutions lifecycle, creating more stickiness for our partners and suppliers. It will also extend our partners' reach and resources with reliable service delivery offerings for their non-core service needs."

"Avnet is an important partner to CDW. We leverage their broad product and services portfolio, including implementation and support services, to provide solutions to our commercial and public sector customers," said Matt Troka, senior vice president, product and partner management, CDW. "Avnet's consistent delivery quality, coupled with its strategic investments and product and services portfolio, makes them a valued partner."

All brands and trade names are trademarks or registered trademarks, and are the properties of their respective owners. Avnet disclaims any proprietary interest in marks other than its own.

About Avnet Technology Solutions

As a global IT solutions distributor, Avnet Technology Solutions collaborates with its customers and suppliers to create and deliver services, software and hardware solutions that address the business needs of their end-user customers locally and around the world. The group serves customers and suppliers in the Americas, Asia Pacific, and Europe, Middle East and Africa. It generated US $10.8 billion in annual revenue for fiscal year 2012. Avnet Technology Solutions is an operating group of Avnet, Inc. For more information, visit www.ats.avnet.com

About Avnet

Avnet, Inc. (NYSE:AVT), a Fortune 500 company, is one of the largest distributors of electronic components, computer products and embedded technology serving customers globally. Avnet accelerates its partners' success by connecting the world's leading technology suppliers with a broad base of customers by providing cost-effective, value-added services and solutions. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2012, Avnet generated revenue of $25.7 billion. For more information, visit www.avnet.com.